SHC stays IG’s removal for one more day

Court asks Sindh AG to argue on contempt petition against Sindh govt for removal of AD Khawaja despite stay order

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has once again extended its stay against removal of IGP AD Khawaja for a day.

The SHC is hearing a petition filed by a group of civil and human rights campaigners seeking police reforms. The petition also covers Khawaja’s removal as police chief and the court has restrained the provincial government from doing so till further orders.

During the hearing on Tuesday, Sindh Advocate General defended Khawaja’s removal as Sindh police chief, claiming that the petition against his removal had been filed to benefit one individual. The SHC bench, however, asked him to argue on the contempt petition filed against the Sindh government for removing the IGP in violation of the court’s stay order.



The AG argued that the plea was not maintainable for hearing under Article 212 of the Constitution of Pakistan. “It should be dismissed,” he maintained, adding there were other senior officers who were suitable for the post. Later, the hearing of the case was adjourned until May 24.

The PPP-led government and Khawaja had reportedly developed differences in December last year when the latter took action indirectly against an influential person close to the top PPP leadership.